Ben Featherstone

Application Form to Apply to Listen to "Tomorrow's Heart"

Foreword:

I write a lot... the equivalent in words to about the average book a month. My style is usually to try and get into focus and just write and once it flows it comes easy - the following however I have edited and re-written over and over again, I could not find the words to explain this peculiar way of releasing my music without sounding pretentious so maybe seeking peoples approval to try and explain it is not an exercise of sheer arrogance but is actually the worst kind of pretence - pomposity wrapped in cowardice - with that said at least it is not vainglorious so if I write the following filled with truth in a very British non-bombastic endeavour, then hopefully music lovers will fall through the metaphorical net like specs of gold in a riffle at the base of the pan.

If you choose to fill in the form to apply to listen and you are one of the successful candidates then you will be sent a link to download the music for free - no marketing or any other hidden tactics. There are no right or wrong answers - you can be playful with your answers or serious. I will personally read all the submissions.       

 

Why have I decided to embark on such a unique album release, potentially alienating audiences and reducing listenership?
 

"I understand the initial reaction many might have upon hearing, 'Musician requires listeners to fill in a form to hear his album'. It might seem like the height of elitism or pretentiousness, asking whether the listener is 'worthy' to experience the so-called masterpiece. However, I assure you, this is not the intent, nor do I personally think it is a masterpiece. A sentiment that deeply resonates with me, once expressed by Nick Drake, is: 'If just one person appreciates your music and is moved by it then it was worth the effort, even if a thousand others don’t like it.'
 

Analogue Recording 

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The era of analogue recording is becoming a relic, overshadowed by efficiency of digital music and the ability to copy and paste repetitive drum loops. Analogue is arduous, and those of us dedicated to this art form find ourselves part of a dwindling community where guidance and shared knowledge are scarce. When recording analogue there is no space to simply press undo, you have to do the whole song again when using multiple instruments at once, which means one needs to be very rehearsed.  
 

"Tomorrow's Heart" is the culmination of a five-year journey, recorded in various locations worldwide. This album was not financed by any record label. It is the product of my own labour; between radio shows, advertising work and live gigs, I've worked in agriculture and operated excavators to fund this passion project. Recording sessions, sandwiched between manual labour, would often span six to eight hours at unconventional times. I believe a hard work ethic outside of writing music can give you the suffering you need in order to produce something beautiful. "If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind?" - Shelley

 物の哀れ
 

Victor, the pianist featured on "Tomorrow's Heart," resides in the Venezuelan jungle. We wheeled his upright piano outdoors and recorded his parts to capture a sense of distance and expansiveness in the sound, if you listen with high fidelity speakers or headphones you can just about make out the noises of insects, the astute audiophile listeners may enjoy trying to work out the time of day certain piano pieces were performed by the humidity in the air and the noises in the background. 
 

'Lazarus Rising,' a piece from the album, features one of the world's leading score composers and the viola, played by a dear friend who had recently emerged from a coma, a man who has contributed to countless renowned tracks. His participation in this project, following such a significant personal ordeal is extremely humbling, I get a feeling of hope and resilience when I listen back to it. 

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Album Style

This album represents a journey away from ego. My previous work, "Prisoner to the Wind," was an exploration of various styles, almost a demonstration of my musical capabilities in order to prove something to the music community.  

"Tomorrow's Heart" aims for simplicity, space and purity. The raison d'etre of the album was to try and capture the beauty of the tiger behind the bars with enough space to view, but also leaving enough structure so it cannot escape and attack. The creation of space within the music allows the inherent beauty of each contribution of the other artists to shine through. It has been a lesson in humility, removing my own parts when overshadowed by the superior talent of my collaborators.
 

Recorded as live takes, the core of each song on the album lies in the intertwined guitar and vocals, many of the songs were recorded over a hundred times, some were captured fairly quick - songs are like birds, some birds like being in a cage because they have security and regular food; other birds hate being in a cage and would rather have a higher risk and be free. The piano and strings, added later, were designed to complement but not overshadow the guitar and vocals which acted as the clay within the sculpture before it is put in the kiln, sometimes being removed and other times the clay being the finished piece of music. 

The most clay like song on the album is one called "Lay in my Arms" - it is only sub 1 minute - I tried to capture the feeling of the original demo track but I just could not, so I took my tape player and played it through the reel to reel recorder and just left it as it was, the recording quality of the song is dreadful but it acts as a conduit to the moment in time - the - feeling I was originally trying to capture. 
 

The album has been blessed by some of the finest session musicians globally and it was mastered at Abbey Road Studio's in London.

The application form is intended as an invitation to pause, reflect and engage. In an age where social media erodes our ability to appreciate the world around us in an ever increasing instant dopamine society, I'm looking for the kind of people who will simply like to just be in the moment with music and hopefully this album connects with them on a deep level. 

Each submission will be thoughtfully read. If your perspectives align with the spirit of "Tomorrow's Heart" or you make me laugh (extra points, I have a dark sense of humour), you will receive an exclusive, complimentary link to the album. For those who desire a more tangible connection, a limited edition CD is also available for purchase.

Remember, there are no right or wrong answers. We're simply looking for genuine engagement and a shared passion for music that transcends the ordinary. Cannot wait to hear from you and share the magic of

"Tomorrow's Heart".